THE FIFTH WALL—August 2011

If you are an artist/performer, you know about the fourth wall—the wall that separates the performer and their audience. But there is a fifth wall that artists should break. Breaking through the fifth wall means the personal connection the artist/performer makes with their audience AFTER the performance and between gigs. Today it’s easier due to the digital age, but harder as it requires more time and effort. Yes, an artist can ‘meet and greet’ after each gig—very important to do. (Just bring your hand sanitizer and use it after they’ve all gone home.) But what are you doing between gigs? Consistent contact is so important between gigs. Don’t have time? Hire someone to do it for you. Or get a high school or college kid to do it for credit in a class or for community service hours. And no matter what you do, whether at your ‘meet and greets’, or through your social networking, newsletters, etc., appear like you are your fans BFF. In fact, throughout all of your encounters, whether fans, colleagues, or industry people, be genuine, friendly, optimistic, and professional. And never say anything negative about anyone in the industry as it may come back to haunt you.

Tribute To Sidney Harman (1918-2011)

If you asked the average Joe on the street who Sidney Harman was, they probably wouldn’t know. It’s a surprise that I know. But I read the book “A Whole New Mind” (Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future) by Daniel Pink, who referred to another book—“Mind Your Own Business”. The latter book is an autobiography about a remarkable man—Sidney Harman. Pink’s book is more for art’s educators. But as I read through the books that Pink listed as references to his own book, that title caught my eye—“Mind Your Own Business”. And so I ordered it. It was timely that I should stumble onto this book. After all, I was contemplating retiring from music education and becoming an entrepreneur. I was going to create a new business—a business that would help promote independent musicians. This book proved to be full of insights as to how to succeed in business and in life. So who was Sidney Harman?

He was the executive chairman and CEO of the world’s premier manufacturer of Harman high-end audio equipment. His long career also encompassed education, the arts, politics, and more recently the Chairman of Newsweek. His success as an entrepreneur was based on his knack for putting together an ideal team and taking a bottom-up approach to business. He likened his top management team to a “jazz quartet that listens to and improvises with one another to create harmony.” He stressed that the most valuable asset a company has is its’ employees. In fact, he gave his employees opportunities to further their education on his dime. He treated his employees fairly, ethically, and with respect. He believed that happy employees were productive employees. Unlike high-profile leaders with big personalities, Sidney Harman was a gentleman. And that gentleman lived to the ripe old age of 92.

Every businessman and leader, no matter what the profession, should be required to read this book. And for the rest of us? Well we can be inspired by it. He truly was remarkable.